Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has “no plans” to meet with President Biden in the wake of Hurricane Idalia despite Biden crowing that the two respected each other and were working together.

(Video Credit: WPLG Local 10)

That rubbed the White House the wrong way and they clapped back on Friday over the perceived snub.

DeSantis’ office insists that he is not meeting with Biden because he is focused on recovery efforts after the storm and having the president there would create a security nightmare, grinding everything to a halt while hindering recovery efforts.

Biden is set to visit Florida on Saturday to survey damage from the hurricane.

Florida is seeking federal assistance totaling billions in order to start recovering from the massive destruction left behind by Idalia. The president has previously said he would meet with DeSantis concerning the devastation that the storm wreaked on the state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis does not plan to meet with President Biden tomorrow during his trip to tour storm damage in the state.

Spokesperson Jeremy Redfern statement to @NBCNews: pic.twitter.com/tGk2ly17sj

— Dasha Burns (@DashaBurns) September 1, 2023

The White House contended that the Republican presidential candidate “did not express concerns” during his numerous phone calls with Biden, according to the Daily Mail.

DeSantis met with Biden following Hurricane Ian in 2022 but this time it reportedly won’t happen with speculation that the president is just too toxic at this point and it’s something the DeSantis campaign has probably recognized.

“We don’t have any plans for the governor to meet with the president tomorrow,” DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern asserted.

“In these rural communities, and so soon, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts,” he contended in a statement reportedly made as Biden was prepping to travel to Florida.

“The president informed the governor yesterday before his visit to FEMA,” a White House official pointed out.

Governor Ron DeSantis Gives Hurricane Response Update From Tallahassee Florida https://t.co/y3diP0wvRV

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 1, 2023

“The governor did not express concerns at that time. The visit was closely coordinated with FEMA, state and local officials to ensure there is no impact to ongoing response operations,” the official continued, making it apparent that Biden was offended by the snub.

The White House and Biden made a big show of federal-state collaboration over the storm recovery, holding regular briefings by security officials while the president repeatedly called DeSantis.

Biden claimed on Thursday as he visited FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. that he had spoken to DeSantis so often that “there should be a direct dial” between the two of them.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Florida and will accompany President Biden and first lady Jill Biden as they tour the aftermath of the hurricane.

Today I met with residents in Madison County who were heavily impacted by Idalia.

Operation BBQ Relief has been serving hot meals at Madison County High School and they will continue to be in the community to meet outstanding needs. pic.twitter.com/qCHemZGp33

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 2, 2023

Idalia was a significant storm. It made landfall on Wednesday near Keaton Beach with winds of approximately 125 mph and a six-foot storm surge. There was massive flooding following the event.

The governor was clear that he was putting his state and its residents before a visit with the president.

“There´s a time and a place to have political season,” DeSantis stated before Idalia made landfall. “But then there´s a time and a place to say that this is something that´s life-threatening, this is something that could potentially cost somebody their life, it could cost them their livelihood.”

“One thing I did mention to him on the phone was it would be very disruptive to have the whole security apparatus that goes with the president because there are only so many ways to get into many of the hardest hit areas,” DeSantis stated.

I met with first responders in Madison who have been hard at work on the ground for recovery efforts.

We’re so grateful for the sacrifices they’ve made to help this community following Idalia. pic.twitter.com/V8Hyp7HMyB

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 1, 2023

“What we want to do is make sure that the power restoration continues and the relief efforts continue and we don´t have any interruption in that,” the governor declared.

There were several deaths in connection to the monster storm aside from the devastating flooding and property damage. Approximately 28,000 residents were also informed they could be without power for two weeks after power lines were downed.

Insurance claims estimate $10 billion for damages in the state. Some estimates claim that damages could end up being over $20 billion in Florida alone.

Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.